In the face of global environmental threats, young people in Lesotho are stepping up to drive a just transition towards a more sustainable future for the country.
In this interview with theReporter’s ‘Mantṧali Phakoana, Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) secretary general, Limpho Khama, issues a passionate call to his fellow youth to take the lead in combating climate change ahead of the upcoming conference which commenced yesterday and ends today in Maseru. It comes after COP29 that was heldin Baku, Azerbaijan.
Khama shares his vision for a more sustainable future and how the youth of Lesotho can make a difference in the global climate crisis.
Why is the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2024 Post COP29 a significant event for Lesotho?
Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) 2024 Post-COP29 is a vital annual event aimed at tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time -climate change. LCOY is significant as it provides a platform for young people to voice their opinions and ideas on critical global issues like climate change, sustainability and social justice. It is a climate action advocacy event that empowers youth through networking.
The event also helps equip young people with knowledge and advocacy skills, to influence local and international climate policies, ensuring that Lesotho’s unique challenges are addressed. Apart from the annual conference, LCOY desires to connect global climate negotiations to local climate action and turn words to action, especially youth actions.
The conference is initiated by young people who are part of the YOU-NGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
With the theme: ‘Youth at the Frontlines: Shaping the Future of Climate Action in Lesotho’, the event will feature insightful discussions and innovative solutions to drive urgent actions towards a more sustainable future.
Given the critical challenges that Lesotho faces as a result of climate change, how can the conference help mobilise youth to address these challenges and make positive impact?
The upcoming conference is an important platform for mobilising youth to address climate change challenges in the country. By bringing together young people and providing a space for dialogue, networking and skill-building, the conference can empower youth to drive tangible change and contribute to sustainable development.
What makes young people such important stakeholders in the fight against climate change?
Young people are vital stakeholders in the fight against climate change for several compelling reasons including that they are future-oriented and have fresh perspectives on various things that concern them.
Young people will inherit the long-term consequences of today’s climate decisions, that makes them directly involved in a sustainable future. Their fresh perspectives and creativity drive innovative solutions to complex climate challenges. Lastly, young people are well vested in technology and social media, using these tools to amplify climate advocacy and organise movements both locally and globally.
How will the conference encourage the participation of youth in the climate action and sustainability efforts?
The conference simplifies technical terms and concepts, making us more relatable to young audiences. The meeting acts as a bridge between young people and decision makers by producing statements that are presented at global fora like COP.
What challenges do youth face in driving climate change action in the country?
Limited access to decision making spaces: young people lack representation at high-level climate negotiations and decision-making platforms. We also struggle to secure funding for our initiatives.
What impact do you expect the Lesotho Conference of Youth to have on policy making and decision making around climate change in Lesotho?
LCOY has the potential to influence policymaking and decision-making in Lesotho by amplifying the voices of young people and driving urgent climate action for example: Increased Youth Engagement in Climate Policy.
How will the conference bridge the gap between youth ideas and practical solutions for climate change mitigation?
Idea incubation: LCOY provides space for brainstorming and refining innovative solutions. Promising ideas can attract partnerships, funding, and technical support.
Participants share local success stories, encouraging replication and scaling of effective climate actions.
Furthermore, LCOY fosters cross-border collaboration on projects that address shared environmental challenges.
How can the conference support the government’s efforts to meet its emissions reduction targets and achieve a low-carbon future for Lesotho?
LCOY plays a pivotal role in supporting the government of Lesotho in achieving its emissions reduction targets by raising awareness and advocacy. LCOY regularly organises community outreach programmes to educate the public on the importance of reducing greenhouses gases. We also promote renewable energy.
Did you encounter any obstacles in engaging youth from rural or underprivileged communities in the previous conferences?
Yes, LCOY often encounters several obstacles in engaging youth from rural or underprivileged communities such as limited accessibility. Rural areas frequently lack access to reliable transportation, internet connectivity or venues to hold events. Financial constraints can also be a huge barrier that hinders LCOY to engage more youth from rural areas.
Finally, what would be your message to youth in the country and indeed around the world, about the importance of their involvement in addressing climate change? How can young people make a real difference in this crucial battle?
To the youth of Lesotho: our country’s transition to a low-carbon, resilient future requires your energy and creativity. Your engagement in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental advocacy can propel our nation to be a model of sustainable development in Africa.
To youth across the globe: our struggles may vary, but our fight is the same. By joining hands and amplifying our collective voice, we can demand accountability, foster innovation, and build a world that prioritises people and the planet over profit.
This is the right platform for the youth to learn and discuss the outcomes of the 29th Conference of Parties of UNCCC (COP29), 2024, where nearly 200 countries and over 555,000 participants met in Baku, Azerbaijan, to decide on the next steps in tackling climate change.
The discussions revolved around reducing emissions, increasing national climate ambitions, UN carbon markets rules, moving away from fossil fuels and crucially agreeing on how much money developing countries will get to tackle and prepare for climate change in what is known as the ‘New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance’ or simply ‘NCQG’.
While some progress was made at COP29, this year’s conference is viewed as a reversal in ambition, as there was no agreement on phasing out of fossil fuels. The new climate finance goal of USD 300 billion annually by 2035 is viewed as largely inadequate.
However, there may be a silver lining. With thousands from the private sector participating (in no means limited just to the large fossil fuel sector participation) and growing their numbers at COPs annually, there were many discussions on just how these institutions could fill the growing financing gap.
